Danish town attempting to break ‘Smoke on the Water’ record

Horsens school teacher hopes to gather thousands of musicians to play the iconic riff

Classic rock giants Deep Purple are scheduled to play Fængslet in Horsens on Friday June 17.

There is no doubt that ‘Smoke on the Water’ will be part of the night’s repertoire. The song’s legendary guitar riff is recognised as one of rock’s most iconic and has been butchered with regularity by budding guitarists since it first appeared on Deep Purple’s ‘Machine Head’ in 1972.

Dan Ingemann Jensen, a musician and the headteacher at Sct Ibs School, now wants musicians from around Horsens to take another stab at the well-known guitar part.

A very big stab.

A whole lot of noise
On the day of the Deep Purple concert in Horsens, he wants to challenge the Guinness world record for the number of guitarists playing ‘Smoke on the Water’ at the same time.

In 1994, the Canadian city of Vancouver was the first to set the record, when 1,322 gathered to bang out the riff.

Over the years, several cities claimed and then lost the record until 6,346 musicians joined current Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse in Wroclaw, Poland on 1 May 2009 to play the song.

Jensen realises that he has little hope of breaking that record, but that has not stopped him from inviting everyone to take part in the fun.

“I sent an invitation to our students, Horsens Music School and Kulisselageret and there has been a positive response,” Jensen told Horsens Folkebladet.

Bring your kazoo
Jensen said that not just guitarists are welcome at the jam. Saxophonists, ukulele players, bagpipe masters and banjo pickers – any one that can play the riff on whatever they have handy is welcome. Those who want to just listen are also invited.

Jensen’s potential ace-in-the-hole is that he actually owns a guitar played by Ritchie Blackmore, the Deep Purple guitarist who created the opening chords and solos on the original ‘Smoke on the Water’.

READ MORE: Elvis Presley’s heirs demanding that Danish Graceland changes its name

One of Jensen’s friends scooped up the pieces of a guitar Blackmore smashed at an Aarhus concert in 1976. Jensen bought the busted ax from his friends and used the parts to create a hybrid, which is now part of the instrument collection at Sct Ibs School.

He will use it to lead the band on June 17.




  • Who counts as Danish? The dangerous politics of identity and fear

    Who counts as Danish? The dangerous politics of identity and fear

    In Denmark, the “Great Replacement” theory is no longer confined to the fringes of far-right conspiracies: it’s making its way into mainstream discourse. For Mira C. Skadegård, associate professor at Aalborg University in Copenhagen and expert in structural discrimination, its growing popularity reveals a “deep, irrational fear that politicians are capitalizing on”

  • Belonging is a big challenge, and many internationals find it hard to become part of the tribe

    Belonging is a big challenge, and many internationals find it hard to become part of the tribe

    Second episode of the series about how internationals are doing in Denmark. This one is about belonging: while many internationals say they are struggling to find a place in the Danish tribe, many initiatives have been launched and organisations are working. The challenge, at this point, seems to be bringing them together.

  • 3daysofdesign starts today

    3daysofdesign starts today

    With hundreds of events, world-class brands, and tens of thousands of visitors, the main design festival in Scandinavia and Northern Europe is about to start. Keep it Real is the theme for the 2025 edition

  • Danish media are saying that soon immigrants will replace Danes – And this is dangerous

    Danish media are saying that soon immigrants will replace Danes – And this is dangerous

    A demographic projection by SDU, made for Politiken, claimed that by 2096, immigrants and their descendants could outnumber Danes of Danish origin. The report sparked a national debate, especially due to the framing of a possible “replacement.” Critics, including researchers from the Rockwool Foundation, called the calculation flawed and misleading, saying that there is a “racist logic” behind it.

  • Jobs, housing, and paperwork: these are the struggles that internationals face in Denmark

    Jobs, housing, and paperwork: these are the struggles that internationals face in Denmark

    Many internationals in Denmark face ongoing challenges, with finding a job as the biggest hurdle. Being overcharged for housing comes second, while paperwork is a major obstacle for non-EU citizens.

  • Broløbet runs into logistical problems

    Broløbet runs into logistical problems

    Each day, over 18,000 cars use the Øresund bridge between Denmark and Sweden. The 8km bridge and 4km of connecting tunnel are vital for the two countries, but one thing is certain- they’re firmly off-limits to pedestrians


  • Job vacancies rise in Denmark

    Job vacancies rise in Denmark

    After a decline during 2022–2023, the number of vacancies has been increasing since 2024. However, there are still differences between geographical areas and industries

  • Most people in Denmark find jobs through ads and networking, survey shows

    Most people in Denmark find jobs through ads and networking, survey shows

    A survey conducted on 18,000 people shows that one-third of those interviewed found a job through their personal network, the same proportion as those who found a job via job advertisements. Institutional channels, like job centers, lag behind

  • Who gets left out of Denmark’s labor boom?

    Who gets left out of Denmark’s labor boom?

    According to Danmarks Statistik, the country’s total employment rate stands at 78,2%. That figure drops to 71.9% for immigrants from Western countries, and 63.3% for immigrants from non-Western countries